Hair Loss Solutions

To understand what is causing your hair loss, it is important to know what is happening inside your scalp. Hair grows from the hair follicle at an average rate of one-half inch per month. Each hair grows for four to seven years, after which it enters a dormant phase and then falls out. A new hair begins growing in its place between three weeks and three months later. At any one time, 85% of hair is growing while 15% is resting.

The 3-Phases of Hair

What Causes Hair Loss?

As we age Hair Loss and Thinning Hair can destroy our confidence and self-esteem. Despite the fact that more than 51 million men and women around the world are currently experiencing hair loss going through it yourself can often make people feel isolated and alone.

Hair Thinning and Loss can be brought on by a number of different internal and external factors and is usually more pronounced as we age. Some of the factors that contribute to loss of hair include:

Genetic disposition

Hair loss can be passed down through generations. Inherited from either the mother or the father. 

Hormones

Testosterone can combine with an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, the combination of the two can create a hormone called dihydrotestosterone or DHT. Increased DHT can attack and shrink the papilla (the tissue connecting and nourishing the hair bulb) creating thin looking hair and eventually hair loss.

Environment

Every day our skin is exposed to many different environmental factors that can greatly affect our skin. Sun exposure, air pollution, smoking, and stress are just a few of the negative factors that can damage the skin over time speeding up the aging process.

Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle choices also have a great impact on the skin’s health and overall quality. Skincare choices, diet, and the types of vitamins and supplements you take impact the skin’s firmness, texture, and appearance.

Pregnancy

Women can experience hair loss during pregnancy due to increased hormonal activity. Following the birth hair often never returns to its original fullness or density.

Stress

Bodies under stress produce increased levels of hormones specifically the male hormone which produces 5-alpha reductase, forming excess DHT, which impacts the health and structure of the follicle.

Diet/Vitamins

Fast foods high in animal fat offer poor nutritional value and can contribute to a number of health issues including loss of hair. The scalp like the rest of the body needs nutrients and vitamins to thrive, and a poor diet can deprive the body of these building blocks.

Diseases & Conditions

Medical conditions such as thyroid disease, lupus and anemia can contribute to hair loss.

Cancer Treatments and Medicine:

Treatments designed to target specific diseases and illnesses can lead to loss of hair, including radiation, chemotherapy and hormone replacement.

Medical Stress

Major illnesses and surgeries can also stress out the body leading to hair loss, severe infections, influenza, as well as high fevers are all known factors.

Trichotillomania

A recognized impulse control disorder compels sufferers to pull out or pick at their hair resulting in thinning and hair loss.

Traction Alopecia

Wearing tight hairstyles can pull the hair or loosen it from the follicle and result in hair loss.

Age

Most men and women will lose  their original density as they grow older.

Effective Treatments

Volume Loss

One of the most visible signs of aging is loss of facial volume. A deletion in moisture, fat, protein and tissue all contribute to the skin looking less full and supple. Volume loss also promotes wrinkling and uneven texturing of the skin.

Causes of Volume Loss

Volume loss in the face is caused by a number of factors most commonly the breakdown of collagen and other proteins which provide structure to the skin. Collagen and elastin are key building blocks to healthy skin, and as we age production begins to decrease, leading to volume loss in face key areas such as cheekbones, the under-eye area and cheeks.

As we lose fullness in these areas It can make other certain areas appear heavier, such as the jowls and neck, which can lead to sagging skin and may sometimes alter the structure and shape of our whole face. Hormonal changes can also lead to volume loss by changing the quality and location of fat in face. This can be exacerbated by the reduction of  hyaluronic acid which keeps skin hydrated. 

External factors that impact tissue volume and fullness are environment, diet, stress and weight loss/gain.

Preventing Hair Loss and Thinning

Aging is something we will all experience, however there are ways to reduce and alleviate the signs of volume loss. Protecting your skin from sun exposure can ensure skin stays healthy and moisturized preventing the breakdown of important cellular proteins.

Drinking lots of water and eating a well-balanced diet also promotes overall health and can keep the skin cells hydrated and plump preventing loss of density. Avoiding stress and getting proper rest also encourages cellular turnover and regeneration which is fundamental.

Unfortunately hair loss as a result of genetic disposition is unpreventable, however if your thinning hair or hair loss is not genetic there are some things you can do. Avoiding  tight hairstyles, such as braids, buns or ponytails can reduce the impact of traction alopecia. Also avoiding touching, twisting and pulling hair can prevent loosening of the follicle.

Gently washing, combing and brushing the hair can also reduce hair loss symptoms. It is also recommended to not over process or style hair by avoiding flat irons, curlers, hot oil treatments and dyes.

Protect your hair from sunlight and other sources of ultraviolet light.